ENDLESS JOURNEYS (O/A)

[Nova Blancke]

The presence of an actual wolf spirit intrigued him. Too bad he could not freely talk to him. Perhaps he could in a different way now this was not the time for it.

"Perhaps he meant he meant a journey of this scale. I might be within your company but that does not change the fact that you are still a student." Nova said.

"But I did say that would be your ...teacher. So it will be my job to teach you how to swim. If you will have me." He held out his hand to Alec to help him up.  

[Rikki Tikki Travi]

Alan's face turned flush. He knew what the wolf spirit meant, and it shamed him.

"He meant I shouldn't have used a magical stone when I have almost no experience with magic. Communing with nature and asking it to move at my command are different from the kind of magic this stone is."

It is then that he remembered the other thing the wolf spirit told him. His eyes went wide with fright as he feebly attempted to stand.

"He also said the wolf goddess is vulnerable to the necromancer!" He stressed.  

[Nova Blancke]

"Calm down Alec. Nothing good will come out of losing it. Right now we need to focus at the task at hand. The task in front of us, not the one we cannot reach at this stage." He spoke in his usual calm tone.

But he instinctively knew what Alec said was true. He believed that Spirits consisted of a different kind of Mana but one that is in a way connected to the earth, to Gaia. If the Necromancer was truly able to corrupt Gaia itself then that would directly influence the Spirits.

"However...it may be true. Come, we need to move"  

[Nova Blancke]

"Why would I mind Kerana? By all means, use it. Many people can use it. Sure it's power weakens over time but this one is fresh so we won't have that problem."  

[Nova Blancke]

Nova couldn't help but smile at the little fox taking charge. But also at the way she felt the flow of magic.

Seems like she actually might be worth my time teaching her. He thought to himself. As he looked back towards Alec a different thought came to mind.

What kind of guardian could you possibly be if are so.....weak? The word weak had multiple meanings attached to it. Not just physically but most mentally. Perhaps he really had to provoke Alec to spur him into action. But without getting on Kerana's bad side. But even if he did, it would most likely not take much effort to get on her good side again.

"Are you alright with letting her lead the way, Guardian?" He did not speak these words but they reached Alec none the less. Telepathy can be very useful.  

[Rikki Tikki Travi]

Alec semi-reluctantly gave the crystal to Kerana. She was really much more suited for this anyway. After she spoke the incantation, he hoisted himself back up and started following behind her and to the right.

He was about to start getting into his usual funk when Nova's words rung through his mind. The fur on Alec's ears and tail stand on end. Well if this guy can throw stuff into my mind, he thinks, then surely he can read it.

"It's the way it's always been. She leads the way forward and I watch her back. So this is no different than usual."

"You don't have to beat around the bush. I know I'm weak."  

[Nova Blancke]

"Then let me make you stronger before one day that weakness might get the both of your killed. I can make you so much more stronger."

When Nova says something like that he means it. That man dances with magic. Controls magic with every fiber of his body.

"So tell me Alec, What elements do you use? Just Nature?" Nova asked normally.  

[Rikki Tikki Travi]

Alec found it difficult to appreciate the help this man was offering. His brother's had made similar offers. Each time it ended with them scowling at him and mocking the notion that Alec even be allowed to guard a fox-kin.

"Well...my instructor once said that I have a natural affinity toward wind, but that I haven't the aptitude to harness it."  

[Nova Blancke]

"Wind...hmm yes. It does suit you in a way. Calm and carefree like the wind. Perhaps you are calm but carefree? What else did this instructor say?" Nova asked. He knew that Wind could work for Alec but could he reach the state of mind needed for that? Perhaps he could and Nova had just not yet seen that in him.  

[Rikki Tikki Travi]

Alec rubbed his arm uncomfortably as his eyes wandered to the ground and back up. "Well actually, he said it was because I can shift directions and intensity at a moments notice. I used to be prone to violent mood swings when I was first merged with the wolf spirit. He sensed that turmoil and made his assessment."  

[Nova Blancke]

"Sounds more like Fire if you ask me. A calm flame until it erupts and becomes an inferno." Nova replied. "But which one do you wish to master? What do you think suits you best?"  

[Rikki Tikki Travi]

"Wind, definitely wind. I don't think fire would mix too well with my nature communion."